Dirigible headlight



July 3, 1928. 1,675,475

J. D. WELBORN DIRIGIBLE HEADLIGHT Filed oct. 25, 1926 2 sheets-sheet 2 1 l v l flotuut Patented July 3, 1928.

UNITED STATES i 1,675,415 PATENT oFFics.

l JOHN D. WELBonN, or cLAY'roN. GEoRGIA.

DIRIGIBLE HEADLIGHT.

j j applicati@ niealoctoberaa, 192e. serial m. 143,743.

This invention relates to dirigible headlights for automobiles.

An important object of the invention is to provide a device of this character which willbe very readily"applied` to the vehicle and which will be durable and efficient in service.'` A further object ofthe invention is to provide a construction `of this character in which the rattling of the control `elements is eliminated and a very rigidstruc'ture provided. y j Y y vA 'still further object ofthe invention is Vto provide means preventing rattling of the elements .of the headlight control'de vice, which likewise serve tourge ieturn of the lights to their normal position when the turning movement has been completed.

These and'other objects l attain byf'the Construction shown inY the accompanying drawings, wherein for the purpose of illus-1 tration is shown apreferred embodiment of my invention and wherein i Figure 1 is a. front elevation showing a* Referring now more particularly to vtheV di'awings, the numeral 10 indicates a trans- 4-0 versely extending bar adapted to be positioned in advance of the radiator 11 of the vehicle. The ends of the bar are provided with angular yextensions 12 which` abut against and are adapted to be secured toV the inner faces of the aprons 13 of the vehicle fenders 14. Adjacent each end, the bar-10 has formed therethrough a vertical opening 16 within which is arranged a suitable bushing 17. Through the bushing 17 are rotatably directed vertically extending headlight standards 18 and 19, each having a flange or collar 20 to enga e the upper end of the bushing and limit ownward movement `of the standard therethrough. The standard 19 is threaded at the under surface of the bar and has applied thereto a retaining nut 21"for preventing upward movement of the standard. Each ofthe standards 18 and 19 has projecting forwardly therefrom an arm .22, thefouter endsof :these arms being con nected by a link` 23, the ends of which extend slightly beyond the arm with which the coact. Surrounding each arm is a spring 24 which 'bears against the adjacent portion ofthe link 23 and against the standard 18 or 19 and accordingly is engaged and compressed by the link when the arms 24 are arranged at an angle to the longitudinal axisV of the vehicle to af greater extent than vthe lsprings are compressed when the arms 22 parallel this longitudinal. axis. For this reason, the springs 2li, in addition "to taking up any wear on the pivots `25 connectingl the ends of thelinks `with the arms,.serve to constantly urge the connected `structiire to a position wherethe arms `parallel the longitudinal-axis of the vehicle.` The upper 'endwoi" each standardis provided with a headlight of any `suitable construct-ion; `this headlight beiiigapplied thereto, so that thebeam 'extends therefromin the same direction as the `arm 22.1` i j The standard 18 immediately below the lower surface of the bar 1() has applied thereto a spring seat 27 shown as consisting of a pin directed through the standard. A spring 28 surrounds the standard between the lower face of the bar and this spring constantlyV urges the standard downwardly, thus maintaining the flange 20 thereof in engagement with the upper end of the bushing 17.V At the same time, a structure is provided which will permit a vertical moven nient of the standard 18 to correspond to the vertical*movement taking place between the body of the vehicle to which the baris rigidly attached and the axle of the vehicle to `whichthelower end of the standard 18 is connected, as will hereinafter appear.

The pivotal connections 25 are suiicient-ly loose to prevent transmission of upward thrust from the standard 18 to the standard `19. A bar 29 is attached at one end by means of a bar 30 to the frame of the vehicle, and the other end portion of the said bar is provided with an opening 31 having va bushing 32 therein serving as a bearing for the lower portion of the standard `18. The bar 29 is further provided with an angular bracket 33 which abuts and is rigidly secured to the outer face of the apron 13.

`The lower end of the standard 18 has secured ll() g thereto an arm 34, the rear end of which is directed between the arms formed upon one end ot' a rod 36 and is pivoted thereto, as at 37. The rear end of this arm projects slightly beyond the arms 35 of the fork, lor a purpose presently to appear.

In the crotch 38 ol' the fork is engaged the connecting member 39 of a Ushaped clip. rPhe arms of thisl clip lie closely'against the side faces of the rod and are provided with out-turned hooks 40 receiving the end coil of and forming a support for one end of a spring 41 which surrounds the rod 36. The opposite end of this spring abuts the arm 34 at opposite side; ol thepivot thereof and accordingly tends to hold this arm in a normal position at right. angles tothe adjacent portion of the rod 36. The rod 36 has associated therewith clips 4:2 whereby it may be rigidly secured to the connecting rod V4:3 of the steering gear of the mechanism.

lVhen, however.` the vehicle is turned, the rod 3G which. through its` connection With the rod 34, lwill cante a rotation ot' the standard 18 and thereby a rotation of the standard 19 through the link and arm connection 22 andQ. The springel 41 and 24 are compressed by this action, so that upon release of the steering mechanism, there is a tendency of the mechanism to return to straightahead driving position. It will be obvious that wear upon the pivots will be taken up by these springs, so that the springs, in addition to assisting in the steering operation,

`tends to maintain said arm likewiseassist in preventing any rattling of the bar ot' the control mechanism.

Since the construction hereinbefore set forth-is obviously capable of a certain range ot change and moditicatiou and ot adaptationto other vehicles than those of the type with which it has been illustrated, I accordingly do not limit myself to such specific structure except as hereinafter claimed. i

In combination with `a vehicle havingrthe usual steering mechanismrincludinr a connecting rod moving transversely ot Vthe vehicle during steering operations, a pairfot vertically rotatable standards mounted for rotation adjacent opposite sides ofthe vehicle, headlights carried thereby, arms projecting forwardly from the standards, a link connecting the arms, an arm secured to the lower end of one of the standards, a' -bar connected at one end with lthe connecting rod of the steering mechanism of the vehicle and engaged with the'farm at apoint spaced from the end thereofzand Aa spring seat carried by the bar and with which is engaged one end of a spring` the opposite end of said spring engaging the last named arm at opposite sides of the pivotal connection of the bar thereto whereby said spring in one position with relation to the bar.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aiix my signature.

JOHN D. WELBoRN. 

